Rebirth — The Journey to Rebuild What Was Broken

For you baby brother, and all the other voices that went unheard.

Jermaine's Story

My baby brother Jermaine was the only one of us born in Portland, Oregon. Our family had come from Mississippi — my mom, a young single parent doing the best she could. Jermaine came into this world with a heart murmur the size of a quarter. My mom took him back and forth to the hospital on the hill every day for long hours, until she felt like they were treating him like a project. She stopped going.

From around age three, Jermaine was different. Kids made fun of him at school. But I was big sis — I protected him. I was only five years older, trying to teach him things I hadn't even been taught myself. As he got older, his mental state got harder. He tried so many times to end his life. Me or my mom always stopped it.

Then one night, a female police officer spit in his face at a park. He kicked her. They beat my brother so badly we didn't recognize him. It only made things worse. He had flashbacks for years. Even the judge told him to sue — but Jermaine had his pride.

I had moved back to Portland. One night, as usual, he'd been out. He came home while I was cooking dinner and wanted to talk. I told him, let's talk in the kitchen so I can finish cooking. He showed me his broken pipe — his favorite. Then he said, you want to see something? I thought he meant the broken pieces.

He pulled a gun from his pocket. Before I could react, he pulled the trigger. He looked at me — like, what did I just do? I saw the hole. I saw the smoke. Then his eyes started trembling. I moved to reach for him and he fell to that kitchen floor. I started CPR right away. But it was a head shot. I watched the life leave my baby brother, and I couldn't save him.

I went through years with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I tried saving others because I couldn't save him. I always asked God why I had to see that.

Then one day, a close friend told me something I never knew. She said there were times she was going to end her life — and I would call her, and we would talk, and she wouldn't do it. She said she believes the reason I had to witness what I witnessed with Jermaine is because God knew I would try to help others.

That's why Rebirth exists. That's why every piece we make carries a message. This brand was built for Jermaine, and for every person who ever felt like no one understood them.

We hear you. You are not alone.

Our Commitment

2% of every Rebirth purchase is donated to Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services — a community-based organization that has been providing mental health and crisis support to people of all backgrounds since 1942. They operate one of the original 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelines and believe that everyone deserves access to care, regardless of who they are.

If You or Someone You Know Is Struggling

You don't have to face this alone. Help is available right now, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

📞 Call or Text 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (free, confidential, 24/7)
💬 Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 (free, confidential, 24/7)
🌐 Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services — didihirsch.org

Your life matters. Jermaine's life mattered. And so does yours.